A child can have a doctor, insurance, and a nearby clinic and still not receive care. When looking at children’s healthcare access, Macomb County families often find that too many children fall through the gap between having coverage and receiving actual care.
For some families, barriers are logistical: enrolling in insurance, finding transportation, or taking time off work.
For others, the challenges are less visible. A parent may not recognize that their nonverbal child is showing signs of autism, or know how to begin navigating screenings, referrals, and services.
And for some children and young people, particularly those facing homelessness or family crisis, accessing care is only one part of a much larger need for stability, safety, and mental health support.
The system is complex, and without support, navigating care can be overwhelming, making it easy to delay or miss services altogether. When needs go unmet, challenges can compound over time, leading to worsening health and a greater need for intensive support.
That’s why the Children’s Foundation of Michigan supports solutions that address barriers at every stage, helping families access care, navigate complex systems, and stabilize during times of crisis. Here are two ways this work is taking shape in Macomb County:
MyCare Health Center: Bridging the gap between access and care
For many families, the first challenge is not whether care exists, but whether it can be used.
At MyCare Health Center, a nonprofit provider serving children and families in Macomb County, only 37% of children with a primary care provider had accessed services which highlights the barriers that exist outside the exam room.
To address this, the Foundation is supporting MyCare’s Connect 4 Kids program with a $50,000 grant to help families navigate those barriers.
At the center of this program is a Community Health Worker who builds relationships with families and provides hands-on support, helping with insurance enrollment, completing health screenings, scheduling appointments, and connecting families to care.
Since October 2025, this support has already led to measurable improvements:
- Increased the number of children attending at least one appointment to 62%
- Met the Healthy Kids Dental program participation goal at 20%
- Increased the number of children with insurance to 93%
- Screened more than 50 children for immediate health needs
By addressing these everyday challenges, more children are receiving the care they are already eligible for and are building a stronger foundation for long-term health.
Comprehensive Youth Services: Stabilizing conditions and influencing long-term outcomes
For some children, barriers to care are just one part of bigger challenges they face.
Youth mental health needs are rising in Macomb County, putting pressure on families and systems. In a single year, youth homelessness in the region has increased by more than 30%, reflecting rising instability among young people.
At Comprehensive Youth Services (CYS), a nonprofit serving runaway and homeless youth in Macomb County, young people entering the Family Youth Interventions (FYI) program—which provides emergency shelter and transitional living support—often arrive with overlapping needs. More than half report mental health or substance use challenges, often having experienced abuse, family conflict, and housing instability.
For these youth, a safe place to stay is only the beginning. Without addressing the underlying causes of crisis, the risk of continued instability increases.
Through a $50,000 grant, the Children’s Foundation of Michigan is supporting a full-time therapist within the FYI program, ensuring that youth receive consistent, trauma-informed care during critical moments.
This allows for more frequent counseling, stronger family engagement, and more effective crisis intervention, addressing both immediate situations and influencing long-term outcomes.
A strategic approach to community impact
These programs may look different, but they share the same purpose: making it easier for children to get the care they need, when and how they need it.
For many families, small obstacles can determine whether care happens at all. When those barriers are addressed early, challenges can be prevented from escalating. And when needs become more complex, the right supports can help stabilize families and create a path forward.
The impact extends far beyond a single appointment—creating the conditions for healthier children, families, and improved children’s healthcare access in Macomb County.
By: Kari Radjewski, director of Marketing & Communications
